AustLit

'Alcohol has played a major, quite disproportionate role in the history of our nation since 1769 and our 'national character', social history and accepted cultural attitudes over those 250 years. Some of the stories in this collection celebrate the social gift of alcohol. Riotous evenings of complete surrender to Bacchus, or business deals sealed with booze, grave social occasions subverted by drink. Other stories are salutary tales that deal with the consequences of getting 'roaring drunk': the hangovers, sufferings and recriminations—the harsh realities. And still others represent the darker side of drinking and finally facing some harsh alcoholic truths. So, here is a collection of history, anecdotes, stories, verse and literature about Australian drinking. Amusing, informative, entertaining and thought-provoking, it will hopefully neither drive you to drink nor turn you away from the pleasures of alcohol in moderation.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.